Much has been written about the compatibility of various makes and types of slot cars with other makes and types of tracks. It is well known, for example, that almost any analogue slot car can work well on an analogue Carrera track because Carrera has the widest and deepest slot of any of the major manufacturers. Conversely, many Carrera cars will not work well, or not work at all, on many other makes of track because the track is too wide or deep to fit something like a Scalextric track. While articles have been written about car compatibility, little has been written about retaining walls or track barriers. This study will take an in-depth look at tracks, retaining walls and barriers from Carrera, Ninco and Scalextric, and will also show how well they work or not when brands are mixed.

First off, let’s start with Scalextric tracks and barriers, as they are most likely the most widely used brand of commercially manufactured slot car systems. Scalextric is a very good looking barrier, made from a soft and flexible plastic that holds its shape well and can absorb the impacts of slot car accidents without physical damage. These barriers can be attached to the Scalextric Sport track in a number of ways: with small black clips that attach directly to the bottom of the track, or inserted into slots and channels specifically for these barriers on the accessory shoulder pieces. While the barriers fit well and fairly rigidly into the black clips, the clips do not stay firmly attached to the track without the use of adhesives or other methods to more permanently attach them to the track. Also with a severe impact, the barrier or sometimes the entire section of shoulder can go off the road. Aesthetically, the barriers are very pleasing and do little damage to cars while slowing or stopping them. However, it is often necessary to replace them after incidents.

Carrera at one point provided two different types of barriers: one was soft, flexible rubber that slipped into clips and attached to the track, and was available in black or red. These are no longer manufactured. Carrera’s current barrier system consists of a red and white striped “candy cane” piece of 3 mil PVC that slides into tight fitting vinyl clips that attach to the underside of the track. The red and white stripes match the pattern found on the edge and shoulders of the Carrera track, and look appropriate on tight corners, though much less so on straight sections where a barrier, such as a bridge, may be warranted. Also, PVC tends to become brittle over time, and will crack and break with repeated impacts. It also has very little flex and will pick up paint from stray cars. This tends to add a realistic look to the barrier, but the cars will show signs of wear. This system remains firmly attached to the track even with severe impacts. PVC strips can also be easily cut to custom lengths, and one piece can be up to 4 feet long, allowing for a continuous look in one long twist. It’s also quite easy to create your own custom barrier walls by printing directly onto PVC sheeting and cutting it into strips of the correct height. This can allow for the creation of realistic and fairly durable ground advertising.

Although not as outstanding as Carrera and Scalextric, Ninco makes rail and barrier products that are almost universally recognized as the highest quality mass-produced systems. The track is almost the same width and depth as the Carrera, but has the flexibility and aesthetics of the Scalextric. Barriers include low walls, walls that look like stone, and even a wall with a high fence. Ninco’s barriers are made of a material similar to those of Scalextric, and absorb the impact without “changing paint”

Now suppose you have a rail marking, but you would like to use another marking for a wall or barrier. Fortunately, this is not as complex or difficult a compatibility issue as it is with cars. The height of Carrera PVC strips is exactly the same as the height between the top and bottom rails of Scalextric barrier rails, and it is quite easy to remove Carrera candy cane strips and replace them with Scalextric railings. The Carrera to Carrera track attachment system is very secure, and the railings stay in place as well or better with Carrera clips on Carrera track than with Scalextric clips on Scalextric track. Lengths may be less of an issue, but the material is easily trimmed with a utility knife. Unfortunately, if you want to use the Carrera “candy cane” on the Scalextric track, the only way to do it right is with an adhesive, placing the Carrera strips over the Scalextric railings. Hot glue works well for this and it can be removed quite easily as well.

Ninco’s barriers and walls are a one piece system with the clips being part of the wall or barrier section. These connect with ease to not only the Ninco track, but Carrera and Scalextric as well. In fact, Ninco’s products seem to ride even more comfortably with the Scalextric track than their native track. On the Carrera track, the height of the track is just slightly higher than the space between the top and bottom of the Ninco clips. However, it can be made to size by trimming the edge of the Carrera track very slightly, almost imperceptibly along the bottom. Again, the Carrera candy cane can be attached to Ninco barriers through the use of adhesives.

Pictures of these various combinations, adaptations and creations can be viewed on our website, http://www.races2u.com/photos/tracks.